Senate president Stephen Parry to resign after confirming British citizenship

Senate president Stephen Parry has confirmed he is a British citizen and will resign from his position in the upper house.

The Tasmanian Senator will stand aside immediately.

In a statement, Senator Parry said it was with a “heavy heart” that he stood down after confirming with the British Home Office his citizenship.

“Because my departure is a rapid and unexpected event, I will not have the usual opportunity to address you in the Senate one more time,” the statement read.

“I wish to thank all of my colleagues, many of whom I regard as good friends.”